Illuminated sign



m., 2, wm. L59

IE. LOWINGEH r ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Aug. 123, 3.927` i lwatented 2,

EUGENE LOWNGER, OF NEEV YORK, N.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Application filed August 23, 1927. Serial No. 214,856.

This invention is for subject matter similar to that disclosed in my application tiled October 15, 1924, Serial lilo. 743,652.

The invention relates generally to illuminated signs, beingY intended more particu larly 'for embodiment in signs such as are used on theatres, moving picture houses, or the like, to announce the program or its main features.

lt hasbeen found, With signs new in use, that those which are Well adapted tor daylight use do not have the maximum attention attracting properties when illuminated at night, While those desimfled more particu-` larly for night illumination tend to have a tlat and lifeless appearance when viewed in daylight.

rl`he present invention has for an obiect to provide an improved sign of this type on which the above noted objections are ob-l viated, the sign constructed according to my invention beine' Well adapted :tor both day and night display.

For further comprehension ot the inven` tion and oit the objects and advantages thereof, reference Will be had to the tolloiving' description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel tea-tures of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Referring to the accompanying' drawing' termino' a material part et this disclosure:

Fig'. l is a l'ace View showing one ot the unitsIH of my inno'roved sign, which has the invention embodied therein.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional vienutaken on the line 2--2 ot Fig'. l.

lling. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View, taken on the line 3 3 ol Fig. 1.

Fig'. is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line Ll-ft ot 1.

Fig'. 5 is a trafgmentary sectional 'View similar to Fig. 4l but showing a modieation ot the invention.

Fins. 6 to 'l0 are similar views, each showine a different modification.

The sipjn unit here shown is in tie torni ci" one ot the letters et the alphabet, the common practice in sign Work oil; this kind being;- to mount these units removably in the tace 4et a hollow traine element, not shown on the drawing. 'llie unit comprises a rectangular plate 10 which is suitably apertured as at 11 to forni the letter, as herein shown by the letter H. A glass pane 12 is suitably fitted in the unit to extend across the said letter aperture. As so tar described, this is a Well known construction, the present invention having more particular reference to the tormation o t the plate to provide a marginal portion for the various bars of the letter, this marginal portion being designed both to be in some degree illuminated by the light from the usual lamps shinino' through the glass pane, While at the same Y .time a distinctive and contrasting; border for the letter when the sign is viewed in daylight.

ln the form ot the invention shown in Fins. 1 to Ll, the plate presents a forwardly projected flange 15 that extends completely around the letter aperture therein, this flange curving; inward over the letter aperture at 16 and terminating in a backivardly projectingv element 17 that is oblique with respect to the `glass pane, the rear edge ot this element being spaced. at a distance in t'ront of the general plane ot the plate 10. rlhis glass pane is cut to the outline of the letter aperture and is seated between the Walls ot the tlange, being); located forwardly o1c the plate in contrast with the rear edges ot the bacltivardly projectinr element 17.

ln the form ot the `invention disclosed in Fig. 5 the projecting' flange 15 is termed with sharp edges 15, the menlbers 17 are parallel to the main plate lO and the glass 12 rests against the members 17.

ln the `'Forni ot the invention shown in Figi'. 6 the formation ot the plate 1'() is the saine as that disclosed in lfinjs. 1 to l, but the glass pane 12 is located in back ot' the plate body and extends trom one edge ot the plate to the other edge. ln Fig. 7 the flange 15 is 'formed with sharp edges 15.

The torni ot the invention shown in Fig. S (litters only from that shown in Fig. 6 in that a Wall element 20 is projected rearivardly 'from the element 17 to contact with the 'face ot the pane 12', the opposed sides of this Wall element dirergingi' rearwardly :from one another. Light passing; thru the pane 12 will brightly illuminate the inner faces o'l ivall elements 20, and Will illu1ninate the inner faces ot the elements 17 to a 'tar lesser degree. When an onloolrer is directly in front o'l" the sign the Wall elements 2O are hidden trom view by the elements 17, and as the viewer moves to see the sign at certain angles, Wall elements 20, and elements 17 are simultaneously visible. Thus a contrast is produced which will add to the prominence of the sign. In Fig. 9 the lange 1.5 is 'formed with sharp edges 15. In Fig. 10, an angular flange 15a is shown, Wit-h sharp corners 15 and parallel inner flanges 15b.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form, construction, and arrangement ot' the several elements employed, it Will be understood that the device is nevertheless, susceptible ot' considerable modilication therein, and I therefore reserve the right and privilege of resorting to all such changes as may be 'fairly embodied Within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United ,States Letters `Patent is:

1 A sign unit, comprising a trame plate, means lfor retaining a transparentl pane on the rear side thereof, a character eut out of the trame, a flange projecting from the front of the frame plate and extended along the vedge of the cut-out character, converging marginal elements extending from opposite sides of the front of the said flange to a plane intermediate the lront of the flange and the rear ot the frame plate, and diverging wall elements extending from the ends of the converging marginal elements to the rear of the trame plate.

2. A. sign unit comprising a. trame plate, means for retaining a transparent pane on the rear side thereof, a character cut ont. ot the iframe, a flange projecting from the l'ront of the trame. plat". and extended along the edge ol the' cnt-out character, converging marginal elements extending Afrom oppositie sides ot the front ol the .said flange to av plane intermediate the Vfront. of the flange and the rear of the trame plate, and diverging wall elements extending from the ends of the converging marginal elements to the rear ot the frame plate, the said diverging Wall elements being integral with the converging marginal elements` and thc converging marginal elements being integral with the said flange.

In testimony whereof I have allixed my signature.

EUGENE LOWINGER- 

